Current Treatments
BETASERON® (interferon beta-1b) is indicated for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis to reduce the frequency of clinical exacerbations. Patients with multiple sclerosis in whom efficacy has been demonstrated include patients who have experienced a first clinical episode and have MRI features consistent with multiple sclerosis

AVONEX® (Interferon beta-1a) is a 166 amino acid glycoprotein with a predicted molecular weight of approximately 22,500 daltons. It is produced by recombinant DNA technology using genetically engineered Chinese Hamster Ovary cells into which the human interferon beta gene has been introduced. The amino acid sequence of AVONEX® is identical to that of natural human interferon beta.

COPAXONE is the brand name for glatiramer acetate (formerly known as copolymer-1). Glatiramer acetate, the active ingredient of COPAXONE, consists of the acetate salts of synthetic polypeptides, containing four naturally occurring amino acids: L-glutamic acid, L-alanine, L-tyrosine, and L-lysine with an average molar fraction of 0.141, 0.427, 0.095, and 0.338, respectively. The average molecular weight of glatiramer acetate is 5,000 – 9,000 daltons. Glatiramer acetate is identified by specific antibodies.

Rebif® (interferon beta-1a) is a purified 166 amino acid glycoprotein with a molecular weight of approximately 22,500 daltons. It is produced by recombinant DNA technology using genetically engineered Chinese Hamster Ovary cells into which the human interferon beta gene has been introduced. The amino acid sequence of Rebif® is identical to that of natural fibroblast derived human interferon beta. Natural interferon beta and interferon beta-1a (Rebif®) are glycosylated with each containing a single N-linked complex carbohydrate moiety.

Tysabri is a monoclonal antibody that affects the actions of the body's immune system. Monoclonal antibodies are made to target and destroy only certain cells in the body. This may help to protect healthy cells from damage. Tysabri is used to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis. 		Gilenya™ is a new class of medication called a phingosine 1-phosphate receptormodulator, which is thought to act by retaining certain white blood cells (lympohcytes) in the lymph nodes, thereby preventing those cells from crossing the blood-brain barrier into the central nervous system (CNS). Preventing the entry of these cells into the CNS reduces inflammatory damage to nerve cells.

Early Symptoms
The most common early symptoms of MS include:
* Tingling * Numbness
* Loss of balance
* Weakness in one or more limbs
* Blurred or double vision

Less common symptoms of MS may include
* Slurred speech
* Sudden onset of paralysis
* Lack of coordination
* Cognitive difficulties
Listed above, the early symptoms. I tend to be a poster child for these. The symptoms that occur later on are too numerous just to list. There will be a link included that will get you to a site where these symptoms are listed and explained. Keep in mind that someone may have some of these or many of these, there is no way to tell.
Multiple sclerosis statistics show that approximately 250,000 to 350,000 people in the United States have been diagnosed with this disease. The life expectancy for people with multiple sclerosis is nearly the same as for those without MS. Because of this, multiple sclerosis statistics place the annual cost of MS in the United States in the billions of dollars. MS is five times more prevalent in temperate climates -- such as those found in the northern United States, Canada, and Europe -- than in tropical regions. Furthermore, the age of 15 seems to be significant in terms of risk for developing the disease. Some studies indicate that a person moving from a high-risk (temperate) to a low-risk (tropical) area before the age of 15 tends to adopt the risk (in this case, low) of the new area and vice versa. Other studies suggest that people moving after age 15 maintain the risk of the area where they grew up.

Friday, September 7, 2012

Federal Focus - September 2012

Register Today: National Forum on Disability Issues The Society is one of more than seventy organizations sponsoring the 2012 National Forum on Disability Issues—the only national Presidential candidate event focusing solely on issues specific to the disability community. The Forum will take place in Columbus, Ohio on September 28th. What can you do to help with this exciting event? First, you can urge the candidates to attend the Forum. President Barack Obama, Presidential Nominee Governor Mitt Romney and Ohio Senate candidates U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown and challenger Josh Mandel have all been invited, but it would really help for them to hear from the public about the importance of this Forum. Candidates will share their positions and answer questions on a wide range of disability issues including employment, health care, long-term services and supports, education, transportation, housing, and research. To read sample example invitations to the candidates and send your own, go to this site. Second, you can RSVP and listen to the live webcast on September 28th from 12:30 PM – 3:30 PM EST. It’s important to listen and get educated. Over 14.7 million Americans with a disability voted in the 2008 election. With one out of every five Americans living with a disability today, our voices will play a critical role in the 2012 election. Congress Returns Next Week after Recess For the past month, members of Congress have been home for August recess in their states. This is always an important time for constituents to meet with their members and particularly this year, since it’s an election year. MS activists across the country have been meeting with members, reminding them of funding priorities for the MS community, especially MS research funding and the Lifespan Respite Care Program that supports family caregivers. Check out some of the great pictures here and here. Thanks to the MS Activists who took time to schedule and attend these meetings—your advocacy is critical to our continued success! Upon their return to Washington next week, Congress will only have a few legislative days left before the election in two months. During this time, Congress is expected to vote on a ’Continuing Resolution’ that would keep the government and its departments and programs operating past the beginning of the new fiscal year (October 1) and into early next year. This means that final funding levels for our 2012 priorities--MS research in the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP), funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and funding for the Lifespan Respite Care Program--won’t be determined until after the new year. Lifespan Respite Grants Announced The federal Lifespan Respite grants were announced last week and are going to the following states: Alabama, Arizona, Iowa, Massachusetts, Nevada, North Carolina, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas and Virginia. Iowa is a new grantee and the remaining states have received grants in the past, with the new funding serving to sustain and grow their programs. The Lifespan Respite Care Program was enacted in 2006 and provides funding for states to establish or enhance statewide systems that coordinate and increase family caregivers’ access to respite services. A recent National Alliance for Caregiving survey reminded us that while important to keep loved ones at home for as long as possible, caregiving can be strenuous. The survey found that caregivers of people with MS spend an average of 24 hours a week on caregiving responsibilities, 64% were emotionally drained, and 22% had lost a job due to caregiving. To help provide proper support and respite for family caregivers, MS activists advocate for appropriations for the Lifespan Respite Care Program every year. These grants are a product of their success!
Posted by Steve at Friday, September 07, 2012

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About Me

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North Grafton, Massachusetts, United States
Well-educated, disabled at this point with Multiple Sclerosis. I am very glad that I was able to do the things that I have been able to do over the years. had to change the picture, this one's more realistic.